The “Hellenic-American Shipping Gala” honored 27 shipping companies of Greek interests

Twenty-seven shipping companies of Greek interests, listed on the US capital markets, were honored for their exceptional quality, transparency and attractiveness to global financial and business actors, during the first Annual Hellenic-American Shipping Gala.

The flagship event, held in Athens at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, was organized by the Propeller Club Piraeus, in collaboration with the US Embassy in Athens, and highlighted the excellent cooperation between Greece and the United States in the shipping industry.

The 1st annual Hellenic-American Shipping Gala was attended by leading institutional actors, namely: the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Adonis Georgiadis, the Deputy Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy Ioannis Pappas, the First Vice-President of the Parliament Ioannis Plakiotakis, the Deputy Minister of Shipping of the Republic of Cyprus Marina Hatzimanoli, the US Ambassador to Greece George J. Tsunis, the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Greece Suleiman Hamid Salem Almazroui, the Chief of the Naval General Staff Vice-Admiral Ioannis Drymousis, the Chief of the Naval Fleet Vice-Admiral Panagiotis Lyberis, the Chief of the Coast Guard-Hellenic Coast Guard Vice-Admiral Georgios Alexandrakis, the President of the Navy of the Hellenic Chamber of Commerce Georgios Pateras, the President of the Hellenic Shipowners Association Melina Travlou, the President of the Cyprus Shipowners Association Andreas Hatzigiannis, the President of the Association of Short Sea Shipping Shipowners Charalambos Simantonis and the President of HELMEPA Semiramis Paleou, together with senior officials of NASDAQ and NYSE and prominent members of the shipping industry.

Companies honored at the well-attended event were:

Listed on NASDAQ: Capital Product Partners L.P., Castor Maritime Inc, C3is Inc., EuroDry Ltd, Euroseas Ltd, Globus Maritime Limited, Imperial Petroleum Inc, OceanPal Inc, Performance Shipping Inc, Pyxis Tankers Inc, Seanergy Maritime Corp, Star Bulk Carriers Corp, Stealth Gas Inc, Top Ships Inc, Toro Corp, United Maritime Corporation.

Listed on the NYSE: Costamare Inc, Danaos Corporation, Diana Shipping Inc, Dorian LPG Ltd, Dynagas LNG Partners L.P, Gaslog Partners L.P., Global Ship Lease Inc, Navios Maritime Holdings, Navios Maritime Partners, Safe Bulkers Inc, Tsakos Energy Navigation Ltd.

The Deputy Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Ioannis Pappas

The event opened with a greeting from Kostis Fragoulis, President of the Propeller Club Piraeus and Vice President of the International Propeller Club of the United States, who emphasized: “For tonight’s celebration, I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart all the companies and organizations that responded immediately and supported this initiative. Without you and your valuable contribution this effort would not be possible. Tonight we officially announce the start of an institution that we hope will be established and open new paths for the future of Greek-American maritime synergy, but also be a springboard for even more actions in this direction.”

For his part, the US Ambassador to Greece and Honorary President of the International Propeller Club Piraeus, George J. Tsunis, emphasized: “We appreciate the important role played by the Greek shipping community in US-Greece relations by acting as an essential bridge of friendship between our two nations, while supporting global trade. This remarkable alliance, based on shared democratic values and a deep appreciation for maritime trade, has flourished over the years, bringing enormous benefits and prosperity to both nations. We believe that our two countries – and the world – are safer, more resilient and more prosperous because of US investment abroad and the ability for companies from around the world to invest in the United States. We celebrate the close ties between the Greek shipping community and the United States and salute the enormous contribution of both parties to global trade and economic development.”

The President of Propeller Club Piraeus Kostis FrangoulisRepresenting the Greek Government, the Deputy Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy Ioannis Pappas noted: “Energy, the economy, defense and shipping are the drivers of Greece’s relationship with the USA. Shipping in particular is a key pillar for growth and prosperity and its impact on the Greek economy is both significant and multifaceted. The goal of this government is to further strengthen the footprint of Greek shipping for the well-being of our nation”.

The Senior Managing Director of NASDAQ Stock Exchange Listings for Europe, Middle East and Africa Ms. Isabella Schidrich

Isabella Schidrich, Senior Managing Director of NASDAQ Stock Exchange Listings for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said: “Shipping depends on economic growth and trade relationships. The main geopolitical and economic challenges affecting the industry include the drive towards digitization and decarbonisation, and of course Greek shipping is playing a key role in the transformation of the shipping industry worldwide. Greek shipping continues to lead innovation, technology, leadership and business excellence in the industry. More than half of the shipping companies listed on our Stock Exchange are of Greek interests and this is a great achievement.”

Erick Diaz, Head of EMEA Capital Markets at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)

In the same vein, Erick Diaz, head of Europe, Middle East and Africa Capital Markets at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), emphasized: “Today, Greece remains the number one shipping country in the world. In 2018, the shipping and port economy generated $5.4 trillion in total economic activity in the US. Since Greece makes up 20% of the world’s shipping fleet, we can estimate that nearly $1 trillion came directly or indirectly from the Greek shipping industry, which therefore plays a vital role for the US economy. We have almost a dozen shipping companies of Greek interests on our stock market, with a total capitalization of 5 billion dollars. What America and Greece have in common is our commitment to the democratic principles of justice, equality, freedom and law – values that have united us over the past two centuries.”

The Founder, President and CEO of Capital Link, Inc, Nikos Bornozis

The Founder, President and CEO of Capital Link, Inc, Nikos Bornozis, said: “Capital Link has been actively involved and supportive of the shipping route, and Hellenic Shipping in particular, in the US capital markets and to date we have been privileged to work with the vast majority of the companies honored at this event. Shipping has established a strong position in the US capital markets, yet it still represents a relatively small percentage of the total market capitalization. Listing more companies on US exchanges will help the sector raise its profile by offering more opportunities and alternatives to investors. Public markets can play an important role by providing capital to the industry.”

The president of the UGS Ms. Melina Travlosu with the President of Propeller Club Piraeus Kostis Fragoulis

The event brought together shipping industry leaders, government officials, diplomats and representatives of the international shipping community in a meeting intended to highlight the close ties of Greek shipping to the US capital markets and to recognize the important role that Greek shipping plays in US-Greece relations as an essential bridge of friendship between the two nations, while supporting global trade.

Crowd of people at the event of the Propeller Club Piraeus

Acclaimed journalist and TV news anchor Apostolos Maggiriadis moderated the event, introducing all the speakers, including Christos Timageni, 1st Vice President of the Propeller Club Piraeus, Danae Bezadakou, Secretary General, and Dimitris Vasilakos, Treasurer, who participated in the awards ceremony along with George J. Tsunis and Kostis Fragoulis.

The CEO of Capital Product Partners LP, Mr. Jerry Kalogiratos (left), receives the award from Mr. Tsounis and Mr. Fragoulis

Mr. Christos Timagenis, A’ Vice President of the Propeller Club Piraeus, explained the reasoning behind the idea for the first Hellenic American Shipping Gala. He clarified that this event does not in fact constitute any form of competition or competitive awards, but an award of “recognition” to the listed companies, which apart from the shipping field… daily operate in another “field”… that of the international capital markets and in fact are obliged to comply with a framework of corporate governance and investor information rules set by American legislation and the relevant supervisory authority, the Capital Markets Commission US market but also the regulations of the respective stock exchange, i.e. New York or NASDAQ.

The musician and composer Evanthia Reboutsika, together with her four-member band, gave an unforgettable performance, taking the 500 guests of the event on a musical journey to the crossroads where East meets West, full of sound and color.

The event was supported by Gold Donors Edit Automation, Tsakos Group of Companies, Silver Donors Alberta ShipManagement, Castor Maritime, Costamare Shipping, D.K. Fotinakis, Franman, Navios Maritime, Safe Bulkers, Sekavin and the Bronze Donors AEGEAS Non-Profit Civil Company, Alassia, Bureau Veritas, Charterwell Maritime, Dorian LPG, Euronav, Latsco Marine Management, M.T. Maritime, Marichem Marigases Worldwide Services, Marine Support Group of Companies, Marshall Islands Registry, National Bank of Greece, Samos Steamship, Seanergy, Technomar Shipping, Tototheo Maritime, V.SHIPS Greece, Watson Farley & Williams.